NEW YORK - MARCH 27: Justin Batt, museum technician, looks over a 19th century cannon in the museum at Fort Hamilton, New York City's only active-duty military base, on March 27, 2009 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Fort Hamilton is one of the oldest military bases in the country, and has over two hundred active duty military along with their families, many of them living in base housing. Built in the early 19th century, Fort Hamilton stands at the site on the Verrazano Narrows where the British first landed to face George Washington's army at the beginning of the American Revolution. Military recruiters currently often use the garrison to funnel through new enlisted recruits from the New York metropolitan area to complete their paperwork and medical tests prior to leaving for basic training and their first assignment in active duty. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images) Harbor Defense Museum

Chris Hondros/Getty

Harbor Defense Museum

New York City

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Beneath the breathtaking Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and located inside Fort Hamilton, military buffs will discover a small treasure trove of artifacts at the only army museum in New York City. Built between 1825 and 1831, this arched, brick fort is still an active army base (bring a photo ID to get in). The historic caponier, a freestanding bastion, houses the museum. The diverse collection includes helmets, weapons and uniforms from the Revolutionary War to WWII.

There's also an array of vintage artillery. Call in advance to schedule a guided tour if you want to learn how to load a 19th-century cannon. (Interesting fact: future Confederate general Robert E Lee ran the fort in the 1840s.) Bring a picnic lunch to eat on the Bluff, a grassy area with spectacular views of New York Harbor.

To get here, take the R train to Bay Ridge-95th St and then walk about six blocks to the southwest along Fourth Ave, then take a left onto 101st St and walk a block to the main gate. The museum is located in a small park adjacent to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.